The crew is described as experienced and carried all safety and communications equipment onboard.

The vessel has been described as having a blue hull with either a green or light blue keel with a white topside with teak decks and lots of stainless steel.

The search began early Monday morning when Coast Guard watch standers at the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) in Portsmouth, Va., received an alert from the ships Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) at 3:30 a.m., the RCC lost signal contact at 7:00 a.m.

Coast Guard C-130 and a HH-60 Jayhawk crews from Elizabeth City along with the crew of the TAMPA searched 9,858 sq. miles since Monday but have not located the vessel.

The Coast Guard continues to search the area and asks anyone who has information regarding the Flying Colours to call the Coast Guard Command Center at (757) 398-6390.